Important Information for Proposers

A revised version of the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 15-1), is
effective for proposals submitted, or due, on or after December 26, 2014. The PAPPG is consistent
with, and, implements the new Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit
Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) (2 CFR § 200). Please be advised that
the guidelines contained in NSF 15-1 apply to proposals submitted in response to this
funding opportunity.

DUE DATES

Full Proposal Window: September 10, 2015
-
September 16, 2015

MEDIUM Projects

September 10 - September 16, Annually Thereafter

Full Proposal Window: September 18, 2015
-
September 24, 2015

LARGE Projects

September 18 - September 24, Annually Thereafter

Full Proposal Window: November 4, 2015
-
November 18, 2015

SMALL Projects

November 4 - November 18, Annually Thereafter

Full Proposal Window: December 3, 2015
-
December 16, 2015

CYBERSECURITY EDUCATION Projects

December 3 - December 16, Annually Thereafter

SYNOPSIS

Cyberspace has transformed the daily lives of people for the better. The rush to adopt cyberspace, however, has exposed its fragility and vulnerabilities: corporations, agencies, national infrastructure and individuals have been victims of cyber-attacks. In December 2011, the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) with the cooperation of NSF issued a broad, coordinated Federal strategic plan for cybersecurity research and development to "change the game," minimize the misuses of cyber technology, bolster education and training in cybersecurity, establish a science of cybersecurity, and transition promising cybersecurity research into practice. This challenge requires a dedicated approach to research, development, and education that leverages the disciplines of mathematics and statistics, the social sciences, and engineering together with the computing, communications and information sciences.

The Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace (SaTC) program welcomes proposals that address cybersecurity from:

the Secure, Trustworthy, Assured and Resilient Semiconductors and Systems (STARSS) perspective; or

the Transition to Practice (TTP) perspective.

In addition, we welcome proposals that integrate research addressing all of these perspectives (see the Program Description below). Proposals may be submitted in one of the following three project classes (plus Cybersecurity Education; see below):

Small projects: up to $500,000 in total budget, with durations of up to three years;

Medium projects: $500,001 to $1,200,000 in total budget, with durations of up to four years; or

Large projects: $1,200,001 to $3,000,000 in total budget, with durations of up to five years.

For Small hardware security proposals, the Secure, Trustworthy, Assured and Resilient Semiconductors and Systems (STARSS) perspective is focused specifically on hardware research innovation that addresses SaTC goals, and includes the opportunity to collaborate closely with industry. STARSS proposals may not include the TWC, SBE, or TTP perspectives. The STARSS perspective may not be used for Medium or Large proposals.

The Transition to Practice (TTP) perspective is focused exclusively on transitioning existing research to practice. TTP proposals may not include the TWC, SBE, or STARSS perspective. The TTP perspective may be used for Small and Medium proposals, but may not be used for Large proposals.

In addition, the SaTC program seeks proposals focusing entirely on Cybersecurity Education with total budgets limited to $300,000 and durations of up to two years. These cybersecurity education projects may not include any of the perspectives named above.